Director of Speech and Hearing

Director of Speech and Hearing

The Director of Speech and Hearing is responsible for assisting schools in the implementation of speech, hearing and language services and supervises Speech/Language Pathology (SLP), Audiology, and itinerant Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH) personnel in the areas of assessment, therapy implementation and educational services, and all related documentation as required by federal and state law. The Director of Speech and Hearing plans and implements staff development for the Speech/Language Pathologists. The Director collects and maintains data to insure district, state and federal compliance.

Reports To: Executive Director of Special Education Compliance and Pupil Appraisal

Scope of Responsibility:

• Supervises and evaluates administrative, professional and clerical staff member assigned to Speech and Hearing.
• Assigns Itinerant Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing to schools according to student needs.
• Works with principals to provide ASL interpreters as needed for instructional support and for meetings or other school activities.
• Assigns Speech and Hearing staff to provide evaluative and educational/therapeutic services to students in public and non-public schools, Early Childhood settings, Child Search, and other educational settings.
• Coordinates speech-language services to non-public schools.
• Plans and coordinates Professional Development activities for Speech and Hearing professional staff.
• Provides consultation and/or workshops for Special Education teachers and other Special Education staff.
• Collects and maintains data to insure compliance with district, state and federal regulations.
• Serves as liaison regarding speech/language issues between the Student Support Unit and State level policy and procedural bodies; State Department of Education, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, State Speech/Hearing Language Task Force and State Board Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology.
• Provides information and assistance to parents, community groups, service agencies and others.
• Attends IEP and Evaluation meetings when necessary.
• Prepares budget proposals according to anticipated needs and allocation of funds.
• Ensures that necessary equipment, computer hardware, software, materials and supplies are ordered, inventoried and maintained.
• Works collaboratively with district teams in assessing needs, planning, developing, and reviewing when necessary programs for deaf/hard of hearing students and pre-school education programs.
• Completes and maintains student records using technology programs outlined in parish policy.
• Maintains security of electronic and print records with regard to confidentiality of student information and passwords that are issued for access to databases.
• Collaborates with Directors and Coordinators in Student Support to ensure the timely completion of Bulletin 1508 evaluations.
• Attends monthly Student Support meetings; Speech and Hearing Administrator meetings; and other meetings with Pupil Appraisal, Child Search, and Early Childhood, as appropriate for the coordination of services. Participates in meetings regularly schedules with the Executive Director of Special Education Compliance and Pupil Appraisal to provide the status of this department.
• Performs other duties assigned by the Executive Director of Special Education Compliance and Pupil Appraisal or the Chief of Student Support.

Skills and Qualifications:

We seek detail-oriented, independent self-starters who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to raising student achievement and who have a record of high performance in challenging situations. Successful candidates will also demonstrate and/or possess:

• Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology or Communication Disorders from accredited university/college.
• Appropriate licensure and/or certification as described in Bulletin 746 of the Louisiana Department of Education.
• A minimum of five (5) years as a Speech Language Pathologist in a school setting.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and data management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and collaboration abilities.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with an ability to use quantitative and qualitative data to make decisions and recommendations.
• Working knowledge of federal and state laws, policies and regulations relevant to schools.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and skilled in Google Suite.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Doctoral-level degree in Speech Language Pathology.
• Extensive knowledge of Speech, Language, and Hearing Services in educational settings.
• American Sign Language (ASL) expertise
• Expertise in Augmentative Alternative Communication strategies.
• Bilingual.

Physical Involvement: Sitting is required most of each workday. Standing, walking, reaching, bending, lifting up to 30 pounds is sometimes required. Physically transfer, restrain or position students. Transfer and maneuver equipment when required. Must be able to provide own transportation to schools or workshops sites, perform non-complex healthcare procedures if required for those students in need of such services.

Compensation: JPS offers a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. JPS also offers a competitive benefits package.